Havana

[QUOTE=SpanishBlack;2954236]Apparently there's a huge nationwide power outage in Cuba right now. This means people food will go back and imminent food shortages. My trip to Havana was supposed to be in 5 days but I delayed buying the ticket and I'm thankful. Headed elsewhere. I would advise against planning a trip.[/QUOTE]Hurricane Oscar coming soon to the eastern side of the island. You sure made the correct choice and dodged a bullet (actually more like dodged a missle). If anyone is there visiting or living there please let us know what is really happening there. What living conditions are like. All meat and dairy products will be rotten within 3 days even if the freezer is not opened. No water without electric pumps. Right? No wifi or even phone service without electricity. What is there to even eat? OMG! What a horrible situation.

FYI.

Today the grid is back to normal in the whole island.

Mondo.

[QUOTE=Mondo707;2955467]FYI.

Today the grid is back to normal in the whole island.

Mondo.[/QUOTE]Any info in regards to what the outcome has been from the Hurricane and power outage? Food, water, gas, etc?

[QUOTE=ChrisH;2955524]Any info in regards to what the outcome has been from the Hurricane and power outage? Food, water, gas, etc?[/QUOTE]It seems like they're back to before the collapse of the grid. Some deficits, it seems to me this happens mostly in different areas mostly in eastern Cuba. Food, water and gas the situation is like it's been for a while.

To sum it up, if you are in Habana, there is less chance of power outages, specially near the tourists areas, Old Habana, Vedado, Miramar.

Again, this is my take from what I'm hearing, reading.

I have a trip plan for the end of January. I'll update if I hear anything different and of course once I come back from my trip.

Mondo.

[QUOTE=Mondo707;2955707]It seems like they're back to before the collapse of the grid. Some deficits, it seems to me this happens mostly in different areas mostly in eastern Cuba. Food, water and gas the situation is like it's been for a while.

To sum it up, if you are in Habana, there is less chance of power outages, specially near the tourists areas, Old Habana, Vedado, Miramar.

Again, this is my take from what I'm hearing, reading.

I have a trip plan for the end of January. I'll update if I hear anything different and of course once I come back from my trip.

Mondo.[/QUOTE]ChrisH and I can both also ready the news. I will point out again: Someone visiting there now or living there.

[QUOTE=Mondo707;2955707]It seems like they're back to before the collapse of the grid. Some deficits, it seems to me this happens mostly in different areas mostly in eastern Cuba. Food, water and gas the situation is like it's been for a while.

To sum it up, if you are in Habana, there is less chance of power outages, specially near the tourists areas, Old Habana, Vedado, Miramar.

Again, this is my take from what I'm hearing, reading.

I have a trip plan for the end of January. I'll update if I hear anything different and of course once I come back from my trip.

Mondo.[/QUOTE]Looking forward to your update and trip report. I'm hoping to be out there in March or April.

[QUOTE=Mondo707;2955707]It seems like they're back to before the collapse of the grid. Some deficits, it seems to me this happens mostly in different areas mostly in eastern Cuba. Food, water and gas the situation is like it's been for a while.

To sum it up, if you are in Habana, there is less chance of power outages, specially near the tourists areas, Old Habana, Vedado, Miramar.

Again, this is my take from what I'm hearing, reading.

I have a trip plan for the end of January. I'll update if I hear anything different and of course once I come back from my trip.

Mondo.[/QUOTE]I will be there next Friday, so will definitely be able to give an update upon my return to the states. Just a weekend trip, but hopefully will have some decent news

Hi everyone, I'll be in Cuba in December and will be traveling with a group for a few days, while I'll be alone for a few days in Havana. It's my first time there and I have a few questions for you:

- money: I read that you only need to bring cash, is that right? Do you go to the host to change money? What's a good exchange rate today?

- safety: can you walk around Havana day and night without any worries?

- accommodation: do you have any airbnb to recommend that obviously allows guests? And maybe with a good breakfast and wifi?

- I read about this pharmacy where you can find the blue pills, where is it approximately? In Thailand I took tadalafil and my performance has improved a lot!

- girls: are they so easy to find, even just walking? And if I wanted to go to some place, is there one you recommend?

Thanks to anyone who wants to help me.

[QUOTE=Mutumbolo;2955945]Hi everyone, I'll be in Cuba in December and will be traveling with a group for a few days, while I'll be alone for a few days in Havana. It's my first time there and I have a few questions for you:

- money: I read that you only need to bring cash, is that right? Do you go to the host to change money? What's a good exchange rate today?

- safety: can you walk around Havana day and night without any worries?

- accommodation: do you have any airbnb to recommend that obviously allows guests? And maybe with a good breakfast and wifi?

- I read about this pharmacy where you can find the blue pills, where is it approximately? In Thailand I took tadalafil and my performance has improved a lot!.[/QUOTE]Money: do by all means take a credit / debit card, but cash is most important. Some businesses are set up to receive card payments (even from US-issued card) but these are in the minority. Indeed, some tourist-oriented businesses insist on card payments: if you do pay by card, ensure that you are making a payment in US dollars or Euro rather than Pesos. (There are at least three different exchange rates, so you can never be sure how much a card payment in peso is going to cost you.).

It is technically illegal to exchange cash for pesos, so be careful. You can find the current exchange rate on a web site called El Toque and ensure that you receive something similar (it is reasonable for your money-changer to make up to five per cent as margin). Your casa host may or may not offer a sensible exchange rate; ditto bar and restaurant owners or people running small shops. People who approach you on the street might rob you or might even be police agents, so just ignore them.

Safety: daytime is fine everywhere; dark streets at night can be dangerous. Keep alert just as if you were anywhere else in the world.

Website called Eltoque gives a pretty accurate Dollar -Peso exchange rate. Remember if you pay in US Dollars and are given pesos for change you will want know what conversion rate the business used -- just ask waitres or proprietor for breakdown on how your change was calculated.

Check the Eltogue rate -- its a good bechmark for the average tourist.

[QUOTE=Szx80;2956469]Money: do by all means take a credit / debit card, but cash is most important. Some businesses are set up to receive card payments (even from US-issued card) but these are in the minority. Indeed, some tourist-oriented businesses insist on card payments: if you do pay by card, ensure that you are making a payment in US dollars or Euro rather than Pesos. (There are at least three different exchange rates, so you can never be sure how much a card payment in peso is going to cost you.).

It is technically illegal to exchange cash for pesos, so be careful. You can find the current exchange rate on a web site called El Toque and ensure that you receive something similar (it is reasonable for your money-changer to make up to five per cent as margin). Your casa host may or may not offer a sensible exchange rate; ditto bar and restaurant owners or people running small shops. People who approach you on the street might rob you or might even be police agents, so just ignore them.

Safety: daytime is fine everywhere; dark streets at night can be dangerous. Keep alert just as if you were anywhere else in the world.[/QUOTE]I would add about credit cards, unless yours are from a country outside the USA, then you're good to go. If you are from the USA credit cards don't work in Cuba. Also, don't expect the infra structure to be anywhere near as good as what it is in develop countries.
Once you figure out what the exchange rate (minus the commission) I'd try and do it with your host b4 doing it someplace else. Try and get large cuban pesos notes, preferable 500 & 1000 denominations.

Mondo.

[URL]https://eltoque.com/tasas-de-cambio-de-moneda-en-cuba-hoy[/URL]

[QUOTE=Adinga;2956589]Website called Eltoque gives a pretty accurate Dollar -Peso exchange rate. Remember if you pay in US Dollars and are given pesos for change you will want know what conversion rate the business used -- just ask waitres or proprietor for breakdown on how your change was calculated.

Check the Eltogue rate -- its a good bechmark for the average tourist.[/QUOTE]

Another great trip to Havana! Everything is on and popping in the city. The chicas are there and available and all over the place. Any type of lady you desire. Prices are still on point, from the food, drinks and pussy. Even found a spot with great wifi, for free!

So, I booked the first two days through airbnb a room with wifi that I hope will be enough to contact home. Is it normal that everyone specifies that I have to register every girl I bring to the room?

Anyway, thanks to everyone for the information you share.

[QUOTE=Mutumbolo;2957983]So, I booked the first two days through airbnb a room with wifi that I hope will be enough to contact home. Is it normal that everyone specifies that I have to register every girl I bring to the room?


Anyway, thanks to everyone for the information you share.[/QUOTE]Are you not concerned about the storm?